Get ready for a potential shakeup in the NFL playoffs! That coveted Monday night Wild Card game, long a staple on ESPN, might be up for grabs. Yes, you read that right – your beloved Monday night football tradition could be moving to a different network. But here's where it gets interesting...
For the past five years, ESPN had a deal guaranteeing them a Wild Card game on Monday night, solidifying that timeslot as a must-watch event. Remember those thrilling matchups, like the Pittsburgh Steelers versus Houston Texans game just 11 days ago? That marked the end of ESPN's guaranteed Monday night Wild Card game under that specific agreement. You can read more about the agreement ending here: [https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/keep-monday-night-football-wild-card-window-after-deal-expires.html]. And while ESPN still has a 10-year media rights deal ensuring they get a Wild Card game each year, the location of that game – specifically, whether it stays on Monday night – is no longer set in stone. And this is the part most people miss: it opens the door for a bidding war!
According to NFL executive Hans Schroeder, the league is considering shopping that Monday night slot around. Schroeder revealed this on SBJ’s The Sports Media Podcast [https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/01/22/nfl-feels-others-interested-in-monday-night-wild-card-window/], suggesting that ESPN might end up with a Saturday or Sunday game instead. "I’m sure we’ll talk to Disney and I’m sure there’ll be others interested,” Schroeder stated, emphasizing the attractiveness of the Monday night window. He added that conversations about the future of that slot would be happening in the coming months.
The addition of the Monday night game actually came about when the NFL expanded its playoffs from 12 to 14 teams. This expansion created two extra Wild Card games, and one of them landed on Monday night, creating a new tradition. Currently, each of the NFL’s five main broadcast partners – ESPN/ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and Prime Video – are guaranteed one Wild Card game annually. With six total games, one network gets to broadcast two each year. This setup provides the NFL with flexibility, allowing them to potentially sell off that sixth Wild Card game to the highest bidder. And increasingly, it seems the Monday night slot is the likely candidate for this sale.
"The reality is a lot more people can watch Monday night than they can watch Saturday at 1pm when you get to that time of year,” Schroeder explained. "So we think that’s a really great way to put our games into windows where more people can watch them… and there’s a certain elegance to have it be part of the ESPN Monday Night Football package.” He's pointing out that primetime Monday night games draw bigger audiences, making them incredibly valuable.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is it really about maximizing viewership, or is it about maximizing revenue? Some argue that the NFL is prioritizing profit over tradition and accessibility for fans. After all, moving the game to a streaming service with a paywall, for example, could generate more revenue but limit who can actually watch the game. What do you think?
The NFL has a knack for creating opportunities to sell one-off games to companies outside its core broadcast partners. We've already seen this with Netflix on Christmas and YouTube in Brazil. Could Netflix or YouTube be eyeing a slice of the NFL postseason pie? Starting next year, the NFL has the option to make that happen. This raises the question: Could we see exclusive playoff games on streaming platforms in the future? And if so, what impact will that have on the average fan's ability to watch their favorite teams?
Here's a thought-provoking question for you: Is it a good thing for the NFL to explore these new avenues for broadcasting games, even if it means potentially moving away from traditional television? Or should they prioritize the accessibility and tradition of having the Monday night Wild Card game on ESPN? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We'd love to hear your opinions.
